Audi R8 Spyder gets an early unveiling
by Damon Lavrinc on Sep 9th 2009 at 11:01PM 
Audi R8 Spyder – Click above for high-res image gallery
With all the leaks leading up to the Frankfurt Motor Show, we knew this one would pop sooner rather than later. And here it is: the Audi R8 Spyder. No more spy shots or speculation. The drop-top bomber from Ingolstadt has arrived... and it's achingly gorgeous in this chocolate hue.
Without any official information to go off of, we can't comment on weights and measures, but we do know Audi will only be offering the Spyder with the Lambo-derived 5.2-liter V10, putting out 525 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. On the styling side, there's not much to report. Along with the removal of the roof, the sideblades have been dispatched in favor of a duo of scoops ahead of the rear wheels, while the windshield gets framed in brushed aluminum and a set of vented bulges trail off from the seats. Unfortunately, we don't have any shots of the R8 with the top up, but when we get an eyeful in Frankfurt, we'll get our first glimpse of the retractable soft-top and the R8's new profile. Until then, check the images in the gallery below.
Gallery: Audi R8 Spyder
[Source: Carscoop]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Taglane 11:20PM (9/09/2009)
Okay. That's hawt.
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JL 12:10AM (9/10/2009)
this has been one hell of a week...!!!!!!!!
Affalterbach 12:41AM (9/10/2009)
Right on. This spider shows that the basic shape of the R8 is very pretty. Of course, it loses some of its thunder.....but still.
zamafir 1:04AM (9/10/2009)
i don't care for the color, but those vents on top of the engine rock, actually the whole thing works... even though i miss the side blades. I can only imagine how awesome that v10 sounds without a roof
AutoCritical 7:50AM (9/10/2009)
It does seem to be ‘missing’ something - although having those afterburner-like vents is a pretty cool replacement. No doubt Audi had a go at using the side blades in the design (I hope they did and it failed) – I did a quick Photoshop of how it may have looked from the side view with the side blade at http://bit.ly/kWIv9
RG 7:58AM (9/10/2009)
Wow.
I think between the SLS, new McLaren and now this R8 Spyder we have erased any lingering Crosstour funk.
FThorn 9:10AM (9/10/2009)
If they could just sell the car for like $24,000 I would SO be there!
RITmusic2k 1:08PM (9/10/2009)
Autocritical - that was a great photoshop - you did exactly what I'd have tried to do... by linking the two blades into a 'bridge' it would flow beautifully and be a perfect way to dress up the lid that houses the 'vert top. I'd call Audi if I were you.
De 11:22PM (9/09/2009)
Huh... without the sideblades and rooflines this car seriously loses a lot for me. I'd prefer if it still had a clear cover over the engine like the coupe, too.
Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't kick it out of bed, but I'd rather see an R8 coupe in my garage-- not that either will be seeing themselves there in the near future...
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AC 12:20AM (9/10/2009)
agreed... after staring at the pic for a few seconds, the car actually feel like an Audi TT / R4/5
the sideblade and roof-line actually adds quiet a bit to the overall "super-ness" of the car.
Mehdi Cheddadi 12:30AM (9/10/2009)
That car without sideblade and roof is one big FAILboat. They should have made it Targa top instead
Redline 12:32AM (9/10/2009)
The Targa is a good idea!
jonathan.chung1 2:17AM (9/10/2009)
Well put.
Venom 11:13AM (9/10/2009)
Targa would definitely be the better option for a car with the sideblades and a visible engine.
The convertible just hides the beauty of the car.
catchmyshadow 12:46PM (9/10/2009)
additonal sideblades would look sh1t if they added something similar to the cabriolet. imagine the clean body colour, a different coloured soft hardtop and a different looking sideblade. this would look like pimp my ride. so i am pretty relieved they left the blade for the coupe and kept the cabriolet body smooth looking.
RITmusic2k 1:01PM (9/10/2009)
Agreed; the first thing I thought looking at the side profile was "Audi MR2".
But that rear three-quarter view? Sexiest metal I have ever laid eyes upon. I don't think there's a chance in hades that anybody seeing this thing in three dimensions would ever confuse it with a TT.
Farmboy 11:22PM (9/09/2009)
OOOOOHHHH DAYUMMM!!!!!!!!!!!
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nissanGTRspecV 11:23PM (9/09/2009)
hmm... i prefer the coupe
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Redline 12:33AM (9/10/2009)
Have to agree, usually when there is a coupe or a cabriolet version of a supercar available I would prefer the coupe, but that's just me.
Scooter 9:22AM (9/10/2009)
@Redline Exception - Gallardo Spyder. That thing is just gorgeous. At least, to me it is.